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World Cup: Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni targets Colombia win

Head coach Alberto Zaccheroni of Japan looks on during an international friendly match between Serbia and Japan
Image: Alberto Zaccheroni: Disappointed with draw

Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni says they are now focused on winning their final game against Colombia to try and maintain their World Cup hopes.

After seeing his side draw 0-0 with Greece, Zaccheroni insists his players did everything they could.

Japan dominated for much of the match, but they could not find a way through despite playing against ten men for more than half of the match after Konstantinos Katsouranis was dismissed on 38 minutes.

"We needed to win this game at all costs and that was what we trained for all week," said Zaccheroni.

"We ended up with the players switching their individual positions a lot. By doing that, we hoped to get an edge both in defence and attack once the Greeks went a man down.

Even though Colombia have already qualified, for us the game will be like a final and we'll be playing for our lives.
Keisuke Honda

"In addition, we tried to attack a lot down the flanks. In the end we were partly able to manage this, but we needed to be more decisive in front of goal.

"In the second half we had maybe 70 per cent or more of the ball and we also created chances.

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"But unfortunately we weren't able to put the finishing touch to our moves. We need to keep playing well and win our next game."

Star forward Keisuke Honda insists Japan can beat already qualified Colombia in their final game.

"Even though Colombia have already qualified, for us the game will be like a final and we'll be playing for our lives," he said.

"I think that we made plenty of chances, enough to have scored a goal and taken all three points, which would have left us in a better situation.

"But unfortunately we fell a touch short with our finishing. We now need to iron out those flaws in our next game and pick up what would be a very important win."

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